kez & hay travels 06

Leaving Chiang Mai we headed up to the north crossing into Laos at the Chiang Kong crossing.  We then took a 2 day trip down the Mekong river on a slow boat (slow being the optimum word!)  So for 2 days we sat on the boat floor watching the beautiful scenery of rolling peaks.  We stayed overnight at a small fishing village which had the biggest insects we've ever seen, (we were very calm and cool about this - honest).  We arrived in Luang Prabang on the eve of Hayley's birthday, so we decided to treat ourselves to a night in a colonial style hotel with sky tv and en suite.  The town itself stretches along the river Mekong and is a beauiful relaxed small town, where the locals are very friendly and everyone says "Sabaidee" to you.  On Hayley's birthday we pampered ourselves: went to a spa for a Laos massage and then in the evening we ate at a French restaurant - filet de boeuf with blue cheese sauce and a carafe de vin - Beautiful!
Next couple of days we became very good at doing nothing except drinking fruit shakes and chilling!  on our last day Hayley got up at the crazy time of 05.30 to see the Monks of Luang Prabang receiving alms from the locals - Kerry thought better of it!!!

Next stop was Phonsavan and a gruelling 8 hour trip on bumpy roads to get there.  This 20 year old town is home to the "Plain of Jars" a cultural phenonomen of massive 200 year old stone jars believed but not confirmed to be some sort of crematorium.  This is also the area that suffered the worst bombardments during the 2nd IndoChina war, where the Americans bombed the equivalent of 177 bombs every 8 minutes for 9 consecutive years. 

Another 8 hour journey on a tiny bus with even bumpier roads to Xam Nua, although the fantastic scenery kind of made up for the lack of comfort.  This country seriously needs some steam rollers!  Stayed at this town for 2 nights, and visited the market where the surrounding hill tribes venture down everyday to sell their goods.  Also visited the network of caves which sheltered the Communist Pathet Lao's parallel government during the 2nd Indochina war.  Thousands of communists lived there for 9 years as bombs rained down around them.  Caves were set out like houses with seperate rooms, offices, and even emergency chambers in case of chemical weapon attacks.

We also experienced Laos nightlife at this small town as we were invited to a local nightclub, where we showed yet again how westerners dance (or more likely how Hayley and Kerry bob along), and where we partook in some Laos karaoke - don't ask!

Next day we were up at 06.00 for what was to be a journey from hell to Hanoi...